FREE Printables and Resources About Thomas Edison

This week in our famous scientist series, we are learning about the most well known scientist and American inventor. Thomas Edison has been described as the greatest inventor in America. Edison invented many devices that impacted how Americans lived and are an extremely important part of history. 

Edison was the creator of the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the long lasting electrical lightbulb. He was so inventive that he actually had over 1,000 patents for his many inventions! What a great scientist to do a unit study on because you can learn about his life, or pick one of his inventions to study. We have put together lots of free printables about Thomas Edison that would be perfect for a unit study in your homeschool.

Biography of Thomas Edison:

Thomas Alva Edison was born on February 11th, 1847 in Milan, Ohio. He was the youngest of 7 children and his mother was a school teacher. He attended public school for about 12 weeks and was told that he was too hyperactive, and distracted. So, his mother took him home and began to homeschool him.

Can you imagine what that teacher would think today? Sending home such a genius because he was unable to learn in a classroom environment! Thomas Edison was such an amazing self learner that his mother didn’t even need to teach him. He devoured books and ended up being completely self taught. As a matter of fact, he began creating his own business and inventing at the young age of 12.

Find out even more details about his entrepreneurship, business ventures, and his inventions at Biography.com You can also download a free printable Thomas Edison Fact Card.

Thomas Edison Biography for Kids – Ducksters

Thomas Edison Biography – Mr. Nussbaum Learning Fun

Thomas Edison’s Inventive Life Biography – Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Recommended Resource: Famous People Notebook: Scientists

Explore the life and work of 10 scientists that changed history. Our biographical unit studies include text, comprehension questions, written narration, and answers.

FREE Printables and Resources About Thomas Edison:

Thomas Edison Facts and Printable Worksheets – Kids Konnect

Thomas Edison Facts for Kids with Video – Easy Science for Kids

Lapbook on Thomas Edison – Homeschool Helper Online

Thomas Edison Lesson Plans: How Inventions Build Upon Each Other – Brain Pop Educators

Edison’s Incandescent Lightbulb: A Unit Study – DIY Homeschooler

Happy Birthday Thomas Edison with printable Thomas Edison Quote – Enrichment Studies

Slideshow Timeline of Thomas Edison and his inventions – Soft Schools

Thomas Alva Edison Unit Study – There’s No Place Like Home

Thomas Edison Primary Source Worksheet – Education.com

Historical Heroes: Thomas Edison – Education.com

Edison Inventions Coloring Page – Patriotic Coloring Pages

The Invention of the Light Bulb Mini Book – Teacher Vision

Our FREE Inventors Notebooking Unit  will help your children learn about 75 inventors (including Thomas Edison). It is a simple, handy tool to help your kids discover inventors while helping to sharpen their research skills. This is an instant download.

Thomas Edison Inspired Science Experiments:

Make Your Own Lightbulb like Thomas Edison – Following the Path of Discovery

Build a Lightbulb with Circuits – Steve Spangler Science

Teaching STEM With Thomas Edison – Edison Muckers

Websites to learn about Thomas Edison:

The Thomas Edison Innovation Foundation has TED talks, lists his patents and inventions and has free STEM resources for teachers and students.

Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab has fun circuit building games, videos and downloads.

Edison’s Miracle of Light on PBS has some of the Edison company’s early recordings, and show the significance of Edison’s work to sound technology. 

Thomas Edison’s Inventions – History.com

These are some great books to accompany any Thomas Edison study:

Who Was Thomas Alva Edison?National Geographic Readers: Thomas Edison Thomas Edison: Inspiration and Hard Work (Heroes of History)Timeless Thomas: How Thomas Edison Changed Our LivesThomas Edison for Kids: His Life and Ideas, 21 Activities The Story of Thomas Alva Edison (Landmark Books)A Picture Book of Thomas Alva Edison Thomas Edison: Lighting the Way (I Can Read Level 2)Young Thomas EdisonThomas Edison and His Bright Idea (Penguin Young Readers, Level 3)The Inventor’s Secret: What Thomas Edison Told Henry FordDK Biography: Thomas Edison: A Photographic Story of a Life

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Sarah Shelton

Sarah is a wife, daughter of the King and Mama to 4 children (one who is a homeschool graduate)! She is a an eclectic, Charlotte Mason style homeschooler that has been homeschooling for over 16 years now. She is still trying to find the balance between work and keeping a home and says she can only do it by the Grace of God, and Coffee!